The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Humane Education website at http://humaneeducation.org/blog/2008/10/17/2008-brower-youth-awards/

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If you’re not feeling inspired by the power of youth to make a positive difference, you’re not paying attention! On October 21, six young people will be honored with the 2008 Brower Youth Award, which recognize “people (age 13 to 22) living in North America who have shown outstanding leadership on a project with positive environmental and social impact.”

Winners of this annual, national award receive “a $3,000 cash prize, a trip to California for the award ceremony and wilderness camping trip, and ongoing access to resources and opportunities to further their work at Earth Island Institute.”

The 2008 winners are:

Marisol Becerra, 18, who works to educate her community about toxins from a nearby coal power plant and to inspire them to take positive action.

Jessie-Ruth Corkins, 17, who created an organization to help her home state of Vermont become energy self-sufficient through sustainable energy usage.

Timothy Den Herder-Thomas, 21, who spearheaded the creation of a mechanism for funding sustainable projects at his college, and created a cooperative company focused on creative climate solutions.

Kari Fulton, 22, who, in addition to helping her local community and campus work together on environmental justice issues, has trained hundreds of youth to take positive action in the youth climate movement.

Phoebe Meyers, 18, who founded the organization Change the World Kids has focused on helping save migratory birds by restoring habitat in Costa Rica.

Ivan Stiefel, 22, who spearheaded the creation of an alternative spring break designed to “stand in solidarity with communities affected by coal industry abuses in Appalachia” and to work toward environmental and climate justice, as well as “a just transition away from coal.”